Category: Blogging

Gratitude and Colorado sunrises

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 11 Comments
Sunrise - Sloan's Lake
Sunrise – Sloan’s Lake

If you saw my earlier post this week, you know I’m on a quest to ditch the negative toxic stuff. I’ve done a lot of thinking about life in general lately and have been trying to get back some balance and focus more on the positive stuff that makes me happy and for which I’m grateful rather than letting all the ugly negative stuff influence my life. Here are a few more things:

  • Early morning sunrises. Admittedly, I’m a morning person anyway (yes, I know not everyone is so I feel for ya especially since you’re missing out on some of the best times of the day IMHO). That said, who wouldn’t be when Mother Nature can deliver spectacular views like the one above from nearby Sloan’s Lake with its lovely park and (obviously) cool lake? Is that a killer view of sunrise looking eastward toward downtown, or what?  In the summer, Sloan’s Lake hosts a big Dragon Boat Festival which is an equally fabulous yet totally different view.
  • Nutella lattes. Before my friend Anna moved to Japan last year, one of the things we used to do was prowl for the best coffee houses and she found a super sweet place that makes a fabulous Nutella latte. Get out! Trust me, order this drink when you get the chance. It is to die for! Talk about liquid comfort. Yum-may. Almost better than craft beer…almost. 🙂
  • Aside from finding that awesome coffee shop with her and our shared love of ‘Sweden’ (aka IKEA), I continue to cherish her friendship even from afar. She’s funny, accomplished and extremely talented and I can always count on her to brighten my day with her generous spirit of friendship. She has two of the most adorable brindled Boxer dogs who always provide us with mounds and mounds of comic relief with their antics (visit her terrific blog DesignPunk and check out her design adventures in Japan as well as photos of the dogs). I’m in total awe of her super techno savvy-ness, her fearless ability to design amazing spaces, DIY’ing stuff I’m way too afraid to tackle, all the while successfully moving overseas and adapting so well in a completely different culture. Anna, you’re my hero!
  • Daily walk/runs with my favorite pup, Sam. Those twice-a-day jaunts are a total dog-send (especially in the early morning) and they do more for my psyche than nearly anything else. Not only do I get out and burn calories with my bestie, it makes a total difference in my mental state. Truthfully, I do it as much for me as I do for him but we both benefit from a good workout.  Now to just get him to focus on the “we’re moving” part–not the we’ve paused to sniff part.
  • Beautiful clear blue skies of Colorado.  It just doesn’t get more picturesque than those National Geographic-like blue skies and with our 300+ days of sunshine a year in the Mile High City, I get loads of essential Vitamin D too. Win-win.
  • Although the Polar Vortex arrived with a serious vengeance this week (it was a record setting minus 14 yesterday morning–yikes!), this has been one of the most exquisite and mild Autumns I can remember.  While we don’t have those gorgeous East Coast reds and oranges in trees, the golds here were extra spectacular this year. The light was simply aglow.
  • Finding some cash in a pair of trousers recently was a nice and unexpected surprise. I think my Nutella-latte Jonesing will be fully satisfied this weekend. Note to self – check all the pockets periodically. You  never know what you’ll find.
  • Wildlife in my neighborhood. It’s still hard to believe that I’m a mere 3 miles away from the center of downtown Denver when I see the likes of raccoons, foxes, bats, coyotes and earlier this summer a pair of deer in the yard! I’ve seen a horned owl and a mating pair of Falcons on early morning walks with Sam…not what you’d generally expect to see in city critters but they sure do make me smile. I’m filled with gratitude when I can see Nature like that especially in an urban environment.

So those are just a few of the things that cause me to smile and make me ‘paws’ and savor that good stuff. It really is remarkable that when you actually do focus on the positive, you’ll actually see and experience it. Go figure, who’d have thought it could be that simple?!

Wishing you barking loads of cool things to smile about this weekend! What’s on your weekend agenda that will make you smile and give thanks? 🐾

We’re famous!

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 6 Comments
Beautiful Smith Lake at Wash Park
Beautiful Smith Lake at Wash Park

Okay, maybe we’re not exactly famous but we are very well-known. Uh yeah…that too is probably a stretch, but Sam is beginning to make his presence known and during this election season, I’m doing what everybody else does…I’m hanging on to a real winner’s coattails.

I recently had the opportunity to have a local pet photographer take photographs of Sam for next year’s hospital pet therapy calendar and while we were there, she graciously took a few snaps of us together as well. Can I just say having my picture taken is the pits? I mean I’d rather set my hair on fire than pose for a camera. Photos of me are always disappointing and usually come off contrived or downright funky. I really do want them to turn out nice, but it’s super awkward for me to look at a camera and feel relaxed or confident even with a great sidekick like Sam. Yeah, it’s true, I have no photo mojo but have always admired those who seem to look so effortlessly fabulous in photos.  The truth is, I’m kind of jealous of them, too.  How do they do that so easily?!  And why is that so hard for me?  Talk about self-conscious angst. Ugh.

Well, I have to say I am over the moon thrilled with the results! Ariane from DelaFoto: Elegant Pet Photography did an amazing job with our photo shoot at Denver’s famous Washington Park and featured us on her blog! “Wash Park” as it is more commonly referred to is one of Denver’s most beautiful parks with gorgeous trees, well manicured flower beds, oodles of bike and running paths, wide open grass areas, a gorgeous lake and boathouse and we were there on one of those fabulous picture-perfect Colorado autumn days.  The light was beautifully golden and really captured Sam in all his glory.

So check it out at Ariane’s blog.  Thanks again for doing a fabulous job, Ariane! You even made me look good, and that’s no an easy task. Now the trick will be picking out the best ones. 🙂

Have you ever had professional photos taken of your fur-baby?  Did you love ’em?  How did the shoot go? Do you think Sam will become famous after his ‘glamour’ shots?

Briggs-Myers and Dogs

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 11 Comments
I'm a what?!
I’m a what?!

A colleague of mine recently suggested I take this online personality test this week (a modern-day Briggs-Myers) and it came up with the same outcome as it did 25 years ago when I first took it (guess there really is something to the methodology used).  It got me to thinking, would it be possible to convert that test to find out about Sam’s personality?

So I did what any curious dog mommy would do, I took the test for Sam, answering the questions in ‘his’ voice.  🙂 Seems as though this particular personable goofball is an ESFP, generous with time and energy like no other personality.  And ESFPs do it all with style and go beyond their comfort zone.  Yup, that’s totally Sam and that is precisely what makes him a great therapy dog.

ESFPs love the spotlight soaking up attention yet enjoy the simplest things (he still has a major crush on an elk antler that I would not have thought possible after 8 months). There’s no greater joy than having fun with a group of friends which is exactly how we feel after we’ve left the hospital. And it may not always seem like it, but ESFPs know it isn’t always about them–they are observant and are very sensitive to others emotions providing support (people ESFPs provide practical advise but so far Sam hasn’t conveyed anything…at least not in English although he is pretty transparent  and you always know what’s on his mind and in his heart).

ESFPs are bold, original, possess excellent people skills, are readily into ‘entertaining’ others and they are super observant.  They’re welcome whenever there’s a need for someone who can play/laugh or volunteer to try something new and fun and there’s no greater joy for them then to meet that need and bring everyone along for the ride–which seems just the right qualities to have in a therapy dog and describes Sam to a tee. ESFPs will gladly share their friends and loved ones emotions through good times and bad. I can definitely say Sam was most perceptive during my recovery last year after my accident and he continues this perception with patients, visitors and staff at the hospital. He just seems to know what to do during any encounter with people, wherever.

ESFPs do have a few shortcomings however. They find it difficult to focus (um, you think?…ADHD Sam has the attention span of a gnat!), can be overly sensitive and extremely expressive and make no pretense concealing their feelings.  They usually experience difficulties in academic environments (it was definitely touch and go during some of our training sessions with this loveable dimwit).  They are always seeking excitement and loathe conflicts and seem driven toward fun, fun, fun. But you know what, I wouldn’t trade him for anything and I don’t think the folks at the hospital would want Sam any other way either.

So which personality type are you?  What’s your dog’s personality?  Did you think the test was accurate?  Come on…dish the dirt.

<3

Life Advice – Sam Style

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 8 Comments
A pawsome pooch
A pawsome pooch

Whether you think of today as Monday or Moanday* if you can view today like Sam does, you’ll guaranty yourself a happy day (and probably a happy life).

🐾  Take naps and stretch before rising.

🐾  If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.

🐾  Mark your territory with abandon.

🐾  Don’t bite if a growl will do.

🐾  And never ever turn down a treat or walk.

*I didn’t coin the term “Moanday” but I like it very much.  Thanks to our friends over at Easy Weimaraner (http://easyweimaraner.wordpress.com) for turning me on to it.

Happy Monday!

Release the Hounds

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 11 Comments
Release the Hounds!
Release the Hounds!

I WANT that doorbell!  Not because it’s adorable beyond all get-out and really describes answering the door at the ‘Ranch.’  And not because I don’t have more than one ‘hound’ currently, but because I need the ‘hounds of creativity’ to be released.  I’m stuck.  I got nothing…bupkis.  My brain is on overload and while there are a few drafts in the works, it seems no amount of editing or resource checking has made a difference to magically transform them into something fit for public view.  So what does a part-time blogger do when she suffers from writer’s block?  Come on all you creative types, please dish and share your secret!  Puleez?

My first thought was to binge watch Breaking Bad (what can I say, I L-O-V-E that show), The Walking Dead (meh, not in the mood for Zombies right now but just wait till the season premiers though) or GoT (Game of Thrones).  Yeah, not so much.  Westeros will have to continue looting and pillaging without me.

This past weekend I spent a few days visiting my parents and celebrating my Dad’s birthday.  It was the perfect trip–we laughed, played games and cards, talked politics, watched the most amazing sunset, enjoyed cool evenings under a sky full of twinkling stars with tasty drinks and ate-boy did we eat…only the best kind of relaxing stuff and exactly what I needed after experiencing several rather stress-filled weeks at work.  When I drove home on Labor Day, I hoped the relaxed vibe I experienced at my parents’ house would translate into some fantastic inspiration for a couple posts.  Instead, I slipped back into overload running around trying to get laundry, housecleaning, and yard work done before having to hop back onto the hamster wheel at work.  I didn’t even realize it right away until I noticed Sam gave me that “hey, how come all of a sudden you’re not doting on me sigh” that only he can give following our Monday evening walk and just before plopping down on his dog bed while giving me the evil stink eye.  Personally I think he got a little spoiled with my parents, and particularly missed my Mom’s hugs and treats (I mean who wouldn’t, but get used to it dude, we all have to soldier on—it’s called Reality 101!).

But you know as I look back at the terrific time we spent together, it occurred to me that even though I didn’t get the writing boost I had hoped for, my inner need for family time was well met and far more important.  And right now, I’m good with that. ❤️ Thanks again, Mom and Dad.  Love you!

So until the blog spirits revisit me and release the ‘creative’ hounds, I’ll smile and relish the ‘pawsome’ weekend spent with the people who know me the best and who still love and accept me for it.  Then I’m going on line and ordering that doorbell!

Hope Labor Day fueled your soul (or your creative juices).

Why I write

~ Tails Around the Ranch ~ 2 Comments
Christmas 2013
Christmas 2013

When I was invited by the fabulous ladies over at Campari and Sofa (http://campariandsofa.com/) to participate in this tagged blog, I was equally honored and scared to pieces.  That meant my recently born little blog was actually being read (and by two women whose blog I truly admire no less–can you say holy &#@%!) and not just by my Mom.  OMG…totally cool but…gulp (cue the scary music here), intimidating as all heck.

How does my writing differ from others in my genre? Anyone who writes a pet blog probably shares the same feelings for their pet as I have for Sam, yet my passion about his work as a pet therapy dog and how this wonderfully goofy fur-kid interacts with people is probably different from most pet blogs.  Humor is the one connecting thread I strive for throughout the blog.  My goal is to make every reader smile and feel better about life in general, but especially for those suffering from illness or injury.  Sam and I have an enormous amount of empathy for what they are going through and hope to lighten their load, even if only for a few moments, so they can move on to whatever comes next.  The same holds true for caregivers.  

Why do I write? I wanted to share our experiences as a pet therapy team but little did I know how strongly I felt about it, particularly the “transitional phase” of hospice.  To say I’m surprised has been an understatement.  When a person arrives at that last door in life with no one by their side, it breaks my heart to see them move on alone.  Sam and I are happy to hold their hand and hear the stories about their lives and their own pets as they embark on the next journey, wherever that takes them.  We are happy to escort them out of the hospital and back to regular lives but are especially grateful to those who won’t be leaving yet who feel comfortable enough sharing their thoughts and personal stories with us.  It’s humbling and rewarding beyond my wildest imagination.  

How does my writing process work? With a great deal of luck!  I try to look at life in general in such a way that others might be interested in what we are fortunate to see and hopefully have them positively impacted by our observations.  Most of my ideas take shape as we take our twice daily runs where I mull and ponder life’s twists and turns.  There’s so much to see and share when you look closely.

What I’m working on: My son, daughter and their families have recently moved (or are in the process of moving) away from Denver so I’m in kind of an emotional transition now.  Not sure in which direction I’m headed as we’ve always been close, but in the meantime I’ll watch Sam and see how he reacts to our adventures and how I can share those experiences with others till I figure it all out.  Sometimes I rant about people’s disconnection with each other through the advent of technology or on the thoughtlessness of people toward pets in general and have been accused of having ‘strong opinions about certain things.’  Frankly I don’t think we were put on this earth to dominate creatures, but to help steward their lives with compassionate care and love.

Please give a big hand to: So without further ado, let me pass the baton to my dear friend, the extremely talented designer/blogger/photographer, Anna from designpunk blog. (http://www.designpunkblog.com/).  Anna is a world and life traveler with whom I was fortunate enough to meet happenstance at a bus stop in our neighborhood and where we became friends and shared an addiction to Nutella lattes before she moved to Japan. Anna secretly started a design blog ages ago that I only recently discovered by accident (you wily girl, you).  She’s bright, charming, shares my twisted sense of humor and owns two gorgeous and quirky Boxers that Sam adores (even if Lulu doesn’t quite share his devotion).  So with hugs to you and ear scratches for Klaus and Lulu…tag, you’re it!